Laura B. Brentner, PhD

Transcription

1 715 S Humphrey Ave Oak Park, IL (413) PhD in Environmental Engineering and Science Iowa City, IA College of Engineering, The University of Iowa December 2008 BA in Biology and Environmental Science & Policy Clark University May 2003 RESEARCH POSITIONS 2013 Research Scientist, Sustainable Biotechnology Clark University, George Perkins Marsh Institute Postdoctoral Fellow, Microalgae Biotechnology Wageningen University, Bioprocess Engineering Wageningen, Gld, NETHERLANDS Supported by U.S. National Science Foundation International Research Fellowship Program Life cycle analysis of microalgae production based on pilot-scale research facilities. Investigation of energy and nutrient by-product recovery in microalgae production. Managed international project to develop microalgae biorefinery systems Postdoctoral Associate, Bioenergy Yale University, Environmental Engineering New Haven, CT Life cycle analysis of algal biodiesel production. Study of biohydrogen production in the development of a hydrogen economy. Green engineering of hydrogen production by the purple, non-sulfur bacterium Rhodobacter sphaeroides in reverse micelle systems Graduate Research Assistant, Phytoremediation The University of Iowa, Environmental Engineering & Science Iowa City, IA Conducted research in molecular biology of detoxification mechanisms in phytoremediation of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) by poplars and native grasses. Reverse transcriptase real-time PCR, enzyme activity analysis, protein purification, phytotoxicity, microbiology, environmental modeling using microcosm studies, autoradiography, and metabolite identification. Developed ecosystem model for phytoremediation of explosives at an active air force base in Florida Fall 2003 Research Assistant, Ecotoxicology The University of Iowa, Center for Global & Regional Environmental Research Iowa City, IA Evaluated toxicity of musk ketones, a persistent organic pollutant in domestic wastewater, on freshwater mussel larvae Research Assistant, Algal Physiological Ecology Clark University, Department of Biology Analyzed glutamine synthetases, enzymes involved in nitrogen fixation, in marine microalgae. Page 1 of 5

2 TEACHING Current Lecturer, Loyola University Chicago Chicago, IL Fall 2015 UCSF 137 The Scientific Basis of Environmental Issues The core foundational science course for non-majors focusing on biodiversity, food sustainability, water quality and scarcity, energy, and climate change. Summer 2015 Adjunct Faculty, College of DuPage Glen Ellyn, IL -Fall 2013 BIOLO 1110 Environmental Biology A survey course with lab of environmental science focusing on fundamental concepts in ecology and environmental toxicology. BIOLO 1152 Principles of Biological Sciences II Second semester of introductory biology with lab for science majors and health professional majors MICRO 1420 Microbiology General microbiology course with lab. Spring 2014 Adjunct Faculty, Richard J. Daley College BIO 233 Microbiology Microbiology course with lab taught as part of nursing program Chicago, IL Spring 2013 Adjunct Faculty, Clark University IDCE 382 Environmental Pollution Policy: A US Perspective A core graduate level course covering the analytical frameworks and policy approaches used to regulate hazardous materials in the US. EN204 Field Methods for Air, Soil, and Water Quality Graduate students experience collecting data in the field and interpreting results based on regulatory guidelines in preparation for careers in environmental science and engineering. Spring 2011 Adjunct Faculty, University of Bridgeport Bridgeport, CT Science C102 Humans and the Environment Science lecture course with lab for non-majors introducing fundamental concepts in biology as they relate to how humans live and interact with their environment. Fall 2010 College Seminar Instructor, Yale University New Haven, CT CSSM 230 Bioenergy Seminar course for undergraduates focused on the science of biologically-based energy systems in the context of policy and socioeconomic issues relating to their implementation. Fall 2007 Teaching Assistant, The University of Iowa Iowa City, IA EES 153 Environmental Chemistry Lab Led the laboratory portion of this graduate-level course and developed course materials for current and future class sections. Page 2 of 5

3 AWARDS AND HONORS Principal Investigator, National Science Foundation International Research Fellowship Program. OISE , Systems analysis for large-scale production of microalgae and investigation of nutrient and energy by-product recovery. October 2011-April 2013 ($123,000). Project of the Year, SERDP-ESTCP Partners in Environmental Technology Technical Symposium. Washington, DC, December 1-3, Best Poster in Civil and Environmental Engineering. Research Open House, College of Engineering, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA. April 20, PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES Reviewer for the following journals: Environmental Science & Technology, International Journal of Phytoremediation, International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, Applied Energy, Biotechnology and Bioengineering, International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment, Journal of Cleaner Production Board of Recommendation, Young Algaeneers Symposium 2012 Certificate in Advanced Topics in Science Teaching, Graduate Teaching Center, Yale University Trail Restoration Volunteer, Maine Conservation Corps, Summer 2003 Agroecology Undergraduate Research Assistant, University of Massachusetts at Amherst, Summer 2002 PUBLICATIONS Posada, JD; Brentner, LB; Patel, MK; Wijffels, RH Parametric analysis of the energy use, greenhouse gas emissions and economics of ten microalgae biorefinery systems. In preparation. Draaisma, RB; Barbosa, MJ; Slegers, PM; Brentner, LB; Roy, A; Wijffels, RH Food commodities from microalgae. Current Opinion in Biotechnology 24: Beach, ES; Eckelman, MJ; Zheng, Cui; Brentner LB; Zimmerman, JB Preferential technological and life cycle environmental performance of chitosan flocculation for harvesting of the green algae Neochloris oleoabundans. Bioresource Technology 121: Brentner, LB Bioenergy as a green technology frontier. Ed. Sanghi, Rashmi. The Role of Chemistry in Greening the Environment. Scrivener Publishing, LLC; Salem, MA. Brentner, LB; Eckelman, MJ; Zimmerman, JB Combinatorial Life Cycle Assessment to Inform Process Design of Industrial Production of Algal Biodiesel. Environmental Science & Technology, 45: Brentner, LB; Peccia, J; Zimmerman, JB Challenges in developing biohydrogen as a sustainable energy source: implications for a research agenda. Environmental Science & Technology, 44(7): Brentner, LB; Mukherji, ST; Walsh, SA; and Schnoor, JL Localization of Hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro- 1,3,5-triazine (RDX) and 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) in poplar and switchgrass plants using phosphor imager autoradiography. Environmental Pollution, 158(2): Brentner, LB; Merchie, KM; Tanaka, S; Yoon, JM; Schnoor, JL; and Van Aken, B Glutathione S- transferases in poplars exposed to 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene. Chemosphere, 73(5): Page 3 of 5

4 Tanaka, S; Brentner, LB; Merchie, KM; Schnoor, JL; and Van Aken, B Analysis of gene expression in poplar trees exposed to the toxic explosive hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX). International Journal of Phytoremediation, 9(1): PRESENTATIONS Life cycle assessment of microalgae as a feedstock commodity. Poster. Algae Biomass Summit, Denver, CO, September 24-27, Microalgae for a Green Future Invited session chair. Young Algaeneers Symposium, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands, June 14-16, Brentner, LB; Wijffels, RH. Microalgae as a replacement commodity: The Netherlands case study. Poster. Young Algaeneers Symposium. Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands, June 14-16, Brentner, LB. Life cycle assessment of microalgae biodiesel and future prospects for microalgae biotechnology. Oral presentation. Algae Biofuels LCA Workshop. European Commission, Brussels, Belgium, February 9, Brentner, LB. Life cycle assessment of microalgae biodiesel and future prospects for microalgae biotechnology. Invited presentation. International Algae Congress. Berlin, Germany, December 1-2, Brentner, LB; Zimmerman, JB. Combinatorial Life Cycle Analysis of Algae to Biodiesel: A Model to Guide Process Design. Platform presentation. Algae Biomass Summit. Phoenix, AZ, September 27-30, Brentner, LB; Zimmerman, JB. Life cycle analysis of algae for biodiesel: a model to guide process design for industrial Production. Oral presentation. 14 th Annual Green Chemistry & Engineering Conference. Washington, DC, June 21-23, Anderson, TJ; Brentner, LB; Chen, B.; and Schnoor, JL. Phytoremediation for the containment and treatment of energetic and propellant material releases on testing and training ranges. Poster. SERDP ESTCP Partners in Environmental Technology Technical Symposium. Washington, DC, December 1-3, Brentner, LB; Chen, B; and Schnoor, JL. Feasibility of using forage grasses for the containment of 2,4,6- trinitrotoluene (TNT) and hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX) at Eglin Air Force Base, FL Poster. SERDP ESTCP Partners in Environmental Technology Technical Symposium, Washington, DC, December 2-4, Brentner, LB; Merchie, KM; Chen, B; and Schnoor, JL. Phytoremediation of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene at Eglin Air Force Base, FL: A microcosm study Platform presentation. International Phytotechnologies Conference, Denver, CO, September 26, Brentner, LB; Van Aken, B; Merchie, KM; Tanaka, S; and Schnoor, JL. Investigating molecular responses in poplar phytoremediation of TNT Platform presentation. International Symposium of Environmental Biotechnology in Leipzig, Germany, July 12, Brentner, LB; Van Aken, B; Merchie, KM; Tanaka, S; and Schnoor, JL. Investigating molecular responses in poplar phytoremediation of TNT Poster. Research Open House, College of Engineering, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA. April 20, Page 4 of 5

5 Brentner, LB and Schnoor, JL. Glutathione S-transferases involved in degradation of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene in poplar trees Poster. Biocatalysis and Bioprocessing Conference, Iowa City, IA, October 25, Brentner, LB; Van Aken, B; and Schnoor, JL. Expression of glutathione S-transferase in poplar trees (Populus trichocarpa) exposed to 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) Poster. Plant Root Genomics Consortium Proteomics Symposium, Danforth Plant Science Center, St. Louis, MO, April 22, Page 5 of 5